The Birth of the Laughing Fifth Hero (2)

The Birth of the Laughing Fifth Hero (2)

Uchiha Setsuna was a dangerous individual—this was almost universally acknowledged by Konoha's upper ranks.

Back then, he had rebelled more than once, only to be dealt with and taught a lesson time and again.

Tobirama Senju's purpose in keeping him around had been clear... I don't consider you worth my attention at all.

And by keeping you, I'd have an excuse to deal with the Uchiha later.

After Tobirama's death, Hiruzen Sarutobi inherited his will to target the Uchiha.

What a pity!

Fugaku's brows furrowed even tighter.

Was there something happening within the clan that he didn't know about?

Fugaku's gaze became even more fierce and dangerous.

Something important?

Hiruzen Sarutobi was old now and only wanted stability. Several times, he had wanted to eliminate the dangerous Setsuna and prevent problems from arising within the Uchiha.

A saying circulating among the Uchiha came to his mind: Fugaku's eyes were fierce and vicious. Just standing there, they automatically launched ninjutsu attacks.

Muneyoshi's face darkened as he snapped, "Because of the Mangekyo, Konoha's atmosphere is already extremely tense. This isn't the time to make a big move."

"Fugaku!" Setsuna pointed at Itachi and asked, "Are you sure this is your son?"

Setsuna had sensed the approaching danger. In recent years, he had even begun reducing the number of times he went out, refusing to give the Third Hokage any opportunity.

At that moment, Fugaku's voice rang out faintly.

Muneyoshi's face darkened.

Setsuna shot him a glance and sneered. "I came to deliver money to him—Danzo's compensation—and to tell him that Elder Muneyoshi wants him to let the matter rest. Tsk, tsk, you've taken such good care of him, Muneyoshi. Don't you feel ashamed?"

Setsuna frowned deeply. "Shisui, if Kazuki really is transplanting eyes, go stop him now. I have an extremely powerful pair of Sharingan in my possession."

Itachi had wanted to nod as well, but then he suddenly recalled his conversation with Kazuki just now.

The middle-aged Uchiha was speechless.

Muneyoshi was no good either. Danzo had openly attacked Kazuki, yet he still wanted them to endure it!

You're from the Dove Faction, not the Turtle Faction!

"I don't understand."

After all, it was an enormous barrier that covered the entire clan territory.

"Forget the barrier!"

He turned his gaze toward Shisui and Itachi. "What do you two think?"

That was hardly surprising. If he hadn't been clever, he would have been killed off long ago.

Setsuna's expression returned to normal as he said coldly, "I came to see Kazuki and find out whether there was anything he needed help with."

"Are you trying to tell me that Setsuna really demanded compensation for Kazuki?"

"I'll go take a look myself!"

Demand compensation for Kazuki?

The Third Hokage couldn't possibly come knocking directly, either.

"No need!"

Oh, you're Uchiha Setsuna. I know you—the old man who got beaten around by two generations of Hokage, the senile old fool who shouted all day about restoring Uchiha glory.

As Konoha's oldest and strongest clan, the Uchiha possessed their own clan barrier.

It would have been normal for Muneyoshi to do something like this.

Shisui nodded subconsciously.

Though they were both minors, and one of them was even blind, the pressure they gave Setsuna was no small matter.

He cautiously glanced at Muneyoshi and said, "I don't think Brother Kazuki would see it that way."

Fugaku's expression darkened.

Because of Setsuna's dangerous nature, he had assigned quite a few people to keep watch on him.

Unfortunately, there was no evidence.

Setsuna also stared at Itachi in astonishment.

He was like a well-hidden venomous snake, ready to slither out at any moment and spit poison.

He suddenly remembered what Kazuki had once said to him.

Besides, Setsuna demanding compensation for Kazuki didn't that prove there was something between them?

It was the first shield protecting the Uchiha.

Itachi said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Brother Kazuki has important matters to attend to. Elder, please return."

"Nothing!" The middle-aged Uchiha hurriedly said. "I was just wondering why Elder Setsuna had gone to see Kazuki."

Shisui's answer consisted of only that one sentence.

Because he suddenly really wanted to punch the other man.

That was a good line indeed. At the very least, he couldn't handle it.

The scene fell silent for a moment.

"Both elders are here."

Fugaku rose to his feet and asked coldly, "Have the arrangements I ordered been completed?"

Fugaku was equally confused.

Muneyoshi said without hesitation, "Kagami's descendant naturally deserves my care."

He also understood the current state of Konoha and naturally did not want civil war to erupt within it.

How had those two gotten involved with each other?

"I think so too, but..."

Just now, he had felt that the other man was thinking something impolite.

The middle-aged Uchiha hesitated. "Clan Head, Kazuki and Elder Setsuna have never had any contact before. I'm absolutely certain of that. So this..."

"Old Man Setsuna, what are you doing here?"

Once or twice could be called coincidence. Three times meant it was inevitable.

Yet the meaning had been perfectly clear: Kazuki was his younger brother, so who the hell was he?

It continued until Uchiha Fugaku arrived.

An aged voice sounded.

Fugaku's expression was solemn. As he approached and saw everyone's stunned expressions, he couldn't help asking in surprise, "What's going on?"

He didn't dare either!

"Elder, Kazuki is my younger brother!"

Dealing with the Uchiha was far beyond his capabilities.

"The clan patrols have increased their manpower, and the jonin have also reduced the number of missions they take." The middle-aged Uchiha hesitated. "But does the clan barrier really need to be altered? You know..."

Fugaku's face darkened.

"This..." The middle-aged Uchiha hesitated slightly. "Perhaps it really is just a coincidence."

"A coincidence?"

At that moment, Setsuna suddenly wanted to turn around and leave.

Itachi's single sentence left everyone present completely bewildered.

Still, replacing the barrier would consume so many resources and so much money that even the Uchiha would struggle to bear the cost.

Neither Itachi nor Shisui answered, their expressions remaining unchanged.

One had cursed him right to his face, while the other was mocking him in secret.

Back then, he had also tried to win over Kazuki, that genius. His words had subtly targeted Shisui, trying to drive a wedge between the brothers. In the end, Kazuki had told him: Shisui is my older brother. Who are you?

Fugaku let out a breath and said, "To enter the Uchiha Clan Compound without being noticed, one needs to be led by one of the clan's core members. I believe those people would never do anything to betray the clan."

Fugaku stared at him coldly.

Fugaku sneered. "First, he wanted to give Kazuki Sharingan. Then, in Kazuki's name, he demanded compensation from the Hokage. Now, he has appeared at Kazuki's residence. Are all of these coincidences?"

Setsuna wanted to see Kazuki, but Itachi and Shisui had appeared and blocked him.

"What are you thinking?"

"Yes!"

The words changed before they left his mouth.

At the very least, it was certain that Setsuna had set his sights on Kazuki.

Neither of these brothers was any good!

Setsuna frowned slightly. "Where is Kazuki?"

He valued Uchiha Yishū highly and did not want him to become Setsuna's man.

Setsuna muttered the sentence to himself, repeating it before suddenly asking, "Could he be transplanting eyes?"

Uchiha Muneyoshi!

He strode over, glaring at Setsuna with hostility.

Fugaku hesitated as well.

The middle-aged Uchiha was nearly unable to withstand it and hurriedly looked away.

How could Kazuki be connected to him?

Setsuna's face darkened.

It was related to him!

Oh, you're Uchiha Setsuna. I know you...

What had happened to this kid? What kind of stimulation had he suffered?

Did Uchiha Itachi really say that?

Could Kazuki have used the Transformation Jutsu?

Several people looked Itachi up and down.

If he wasn't my son, was he yours?

Pah!

My Mikoto, I misspoke. It's all that old bastard's fault.